Ceramic vape assembly

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly for use with an atomizer of a vaporizer device according to various aspects of the present technology may include a cap and a force-applying assembly. The cap may be detachably coupled to the vaporizer device or the atomizer, wherein the cap releasably engages a reservoir of the atomizer and seals a vaporizable consumable contained therein. The force-applying assembly may be configured to be inserted into the reservoir when the cap is coupled to the vaporizer device or the atomizer and apply a force to the vaporizable consumable to continuously move the consumable towards a heating element of the vaporizer device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/496,336, filed Oct. 7, 2021, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63/089,161, filed Oct. 8, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to devices for use with vaporizer devices. Particularly, the technical field relates to a cap assembly for use with an atomizer of a vaporizer device.

BACKGROUND

Vaporizer devices present an alternative to smoking and work by vaporizing a consumable flower or concentrate, such as cannabis, tobacco, etc. by heating the consumable at a lower temperature than an open flame so that a user can inhale the consumable in vapor form, rather than smoke.

A conventional vaporizer device typically has a reservoir for holding the consumable, a small, heated coil in contact with the reservoir, and one or more openings to allow a user to draw vapor toward the mouth of the user. A current is typically passed through the coil, heating the reservoir which in turn heats the consumable. However, the consumable contained in the reservoir of a conventional vaporizer device is prone to not being fully vaporized. Specifically, the portion of the consumable closest to the heated coil is prone to being vaporized while the portion of the consumable farthest away from the heated coil is not. The portion of the consumable farthest away from the heated coil is prone to getting stuck within the reservoir and typically underheats, thereby leaving a residue behind and increasing the presence of potentially harmful irritants and unpleasant flavors and aromas.

Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus or device for use with the vaporizer device that continuously moves the consumable through the reservoir towards the heated coil in order to more effectively saturate and vaporize the entire consumable so that the user may be provided with a high-quality vapor and improved flavor.

SUMMARY

A cap assembly for use with an atomizer of a vaporizer device according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a cap and a force-applying assembly. The cap may be detachably coupled to the vaporizer device or the atomizer, wherein the cap releasably engages a reservoir of the atomizer and seals a vaporizable consumable contained therein. The force-applying assembly may be configured to be inserted into the reservoir when the cap is coupled to the vaporizer device or the atomizer and apply a force to the vaporizable consumable to continuously move the consumable towards a heating element of the vaporizer device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an atomizer of a vaporizer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cap assembly and an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a cap assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the cap assembly shown in FIG. 3A and an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a cap assembly and an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a cap assembly and an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter-described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference made to the Figures. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 , in various embodiments, a cap assembly 100 for use with an atomizer 115 of a vaporizer device 120 may comprise a cap 105 and a force-applying assembly 110. The atomizer 115 may comprise a housing 125 comprising a reservoir 127 and a heating element 135. The force-applying assembly 110 may be utilized to apply mechanical pressure to a vaporizable consumable 102 contained in the reservoir 127 in order to continuously move the vaporizable consumable 102 towards the heating element 135. For purposes of this Application, the term “vaporizable consumable” means any consumable product for use with a vaporizer device, such as flower, concentrate, or the like.

As referenced in FIG. 1 , the housing 125 may comprise any suitable size and shape, such as a tubular-shaped body. In one embodiment, the housing 125 may comprise an outer surface 126 and an inner surface 128 defining a receptacle cavity in the housing 125. The inner surface 128 may be configured to receivably engage the heating element 135. In addition, the housing 125 may comprise an open first end 130 terminating in a first peripheral annular edge 131 and a second end 132 opposite the open first end 130 and terminating in a second peripheral annular edge 133. The housing 125 may be constructed from a variety of suitable thermally conductive materials, such as metal, ceramic, silicone, glass, or any other combination of thermally conductive materials. The heating element 135 and the inner surface 128 may define a chamber 140 in the housing 125. The chamber 140 may comprise the reservoir 127 for holding the vaporizable consumable 102 therein.

It will be appreciated that the reservoir 127 may comprise any suitable size and shape so long as the reservoir 127 is capable of holding a sufficient amount of the vaporizable consumable 102 to provide a user of the vaporizer device 120 with a high-quality vapor and improved flavor over the lifetime of the vaporizable consumable 102. As an example, in one embodiment, the reservoir 127 may comprise a volume of approximately 0.05 to 2 cubic centimeters and may hold approximately 0.05 to 2 grams of the vaporizable consumable 102.

The cap 105 may be detachably coupled to the atomizer 115 in a locked position, whereby the cap 105 is twisted into the locked position by pressing the cap 105 towards the atomizer 115 and turning the cap 105 to lock into position. For example, in one embodiment, the cap 105 may releasably engage the atomizer 115 and form a seal against the atomizer 115 to prevent the vaporizable consumable 102 from falling or leaking out of the reservoir 127. Similarly, the cap 105 may be decoupled from the atomizer 115 in an unlocked position, whereby the cap 105 is twisted into the unlocked position by turning the cap 105 to disengage. Once the cap 105 is removed from the atomizer 115, the reservoir 127 may be filled with the vaporizable consumable 102 via the open first end 130. In an alternative embodiment, the cap 105 may not be disengageable or detachable from the atomizer 115. In some embodiments, the cap may further comprise an inlet 107 and an outlet 108 for circulating air within the cap 105.

As an example, the cap 105 may comprise internal threads (not shown) on an inner surface 106 of the cap 105. The internal threads may be in mating engagement with corresponding threads (not shown) formed on an outside of the circular outer edge 116 of the atomizer 115, so that the cap 105 may be coupled to the atomizer 115. The internal threads on the inner surface 106 may be formed spirally and circumferentially thereon.

Modifications may be made to the cap 105 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of being configured to be coupled to the atomizer 115, the cap 105 may be configured to be coupled to a body portion of the vaporizer device 120.

In one embodiment, and referring now to FIG. 2 , the force-applying assembly 110 may comprise a spring 111 having a first end 112 a coupled to the inner surface 106 and extending distally therefrom. The force-applying assembly 110 may also comprise a plate 113 coupled to a second end 112 b of the spring 111 opposite the first end 112 a. When the cap 105 is coupled to the atomizer 115 or the body portion of the vaporizer device 120, as the case may be, the plate 113 may be inserted into the reservoir 127 to engage the vaporizable consumable 102 contained therein. The plate 113 may be biased by the spring 111 such that it may apply a pressure or force to the vaporizable consumable 102 when the cap assembly 100 is coupled to the vaporizer device 120. Specifically, when the spring 111 is inserted into the reservoir 127, the spring 111 may exert a downward force which in turn may cause the plate 113 to compress the vaporizable consumable 102 and thus move the vaporizable consumable 102 towards the heating element 135. As the vaporizable consumable 102 is heated and vaporized, the spring 111 may retract and return to its uncompressed state.

In another embodiment, and referring now to FIGS. 3A-B, the force-applying assembly 110 may comprise an axially rotatable rod 145, a blade or fan 150 coupled to a first end 147 a of the rod 145, and a hook 155 coupled to a second end 147 b of the rod 145 opposite the first end 147 a. When the cap 105 is coupled to the atomizer 115, the hook 155 may be inserted into the reservoir 127 to engage the vaporizable consumable 102 contained therein. The blade 150 may be at rest until movement of air within the cap 105 causes the blade 150 to spin.

Specifically, a user of the vaporizer device 120 may draw air into the cap 105 via the inlet 107 by inhaling through a mouthpiece (not shown) of the vaporizer device 120. As air is drawn into the cap 105, the air may circulate and exert a force on the blade 150, thereby causing the blade 150 and the rod 145, which may be fixedly connected thereto, to spin. As the blade 150 and the rod 145 spin, the hook 155, which may be fixedly coupled to the second end 147 b of the rod 145, may rotate in unison with the rod 145. Because the hook 155 is inserted into the reservoir 127, the hook 155 may disperse and break the vaporizable consumable 102 into smaller pieces. As a result, the portion of the vaporizable consumable 102 farthest away from the heating element 135 may be less prone to getting stuck within the reservoir 127, which in turn facilitates movement of the vaporizable consumable 102 towards the heating element 135.

Modifications may be made to the hook 155 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the hook 155 may comprise a first hook 156 a and a second hook 156 b. Each hook 156 a, 156 b may be coupled to the second end 147 b of the spindle rod 145. In another embodiment, a first bead 156 a may be coupled to an end of the first hook 155 a and a second bead 156 b may be coupled to an end of the second hook 155 b. The first bead 156 a and the second bead 156 b may aid in breaking the vaporizable consumable 102 into smaller pieces. In particular, a portion of the vaporizable consumable 102 farthest away from the heating element 135 may be broken into smaller pieces, making the pieces less prone to getting stuck within the reservoir 127 and facilitating movement of the pieces towards the heating element 135.

In yet another embodiment, and referring now to FIG. 4 , the force-applying assembly 110 may comprise a diaphragm 160 configured to inflate as air is drawn into the cap 105 via the inlet 107. The diaphragm 160 may also be configured to deflate when the air is expelled from the cap 105 via the outlet 108. Because the diaphragm 160 may be in contact with the vaporizable consumable 102 inside the reservoir 127, the diaphragm 160 may exert a downwards force on the consumable which in turn compresses the vaporizable consumable 102. As the vaporizable consumable 102 compresses, it moves towards the heating element 135, thereby allowing it to be heated to a sufficient temperature and vaporize. As the vaporizable consumable heats and vaporizes, the diaphragm 160 may deflate and return to its uninflated state. It will be appreciated that air may be drawn into the cap 105 and expelled from the cap 105 in any suitable manner. For example, a user of the vaporizer device 120 may draw air into the cap 105 via the inlet 107 by inhaling through the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device 120. Similarly, the user may expel air from the cap 105 via the outlet 108 by exhaling through the mouthpiece.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , modifications may made to the force-applying assembly 110 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of a diaphragm 160, the force assembly 110 may comprise a flexible lens 162. The flexible lens 162 may be configured to exert a downwards force on the consumable which in turn compresses the vaporizable consumable 102. As the vaporizable consumable 102 compresses, it moves towards the heating element 135.

The heating element 135 may comprise a ceramic block or a resistive element, such as a coil, strip of wire, wire mesh, or film, and the like that dissipates heat when an electric current flows through it. The resistive element may comprise any suitable resistance so long as the resistive element may dissipate enough heat to heat the vaporizable consumable 102 to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the vaporizable consumable 102. As an example, in the case where the vaporizable consumable 102 is oil or concentrate, the concentrate within the reservoir 127 may be heated to a temperature of approximately 365 to 428° F. to create an aerosolized vapor therefrom. In the case where the vaporizable consumable 102 is cannabis flower, the flower within the reservoir 127 may be heated to a temperature of approximately 215 to 480° F. to create an aerosolized vapor therefrom.

The heating element 135 may also comprise one or more wires (not shown) coupled to a battery (not shown) of the vaporizer device 120. The heating element 135 may be in contact with the atomizer 115 and may heat the vaporizable consumable 102 to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the consumable. The heating element 135 may, however, be coupled to the atomizer 115 in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the heating element 135 may be embedded within the atomizer 115. In another embodiment, the heating element 135 may be coupled to a base (not shown) of the atomizer 115. In yet another embodiment, the heating element 135 may be printed on the base.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. A cap assembly for use with an atomizer of a vaporizable device, comprising: a cap coupled to the vaporizer device, wherein the cap sealably engages the vaporizer device to seal a vaporizable consumable contained inside a reservoir of the atomizer; a force-applying assembly configured to be inserted into the reservoir when the cap is coupled to the vaporizer device and apply a force to the vaporizable consumable to continuously move the consumable towards a heating element of the vaporizer device.
 2. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is detachably coupled to the vaporizer device, and wherein the cap releasably engages the vaporizer device.
 3. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is not detachably coupled to the vaporizer device.
 4. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the force-applying assembly comprises: a spring comprising a first end coupled to an inner surface of the cap and extending distally therefrom; and a plate coupled to a second end of the spring opposite the first end, wherein: the plate is inserted into the reservoir when the cap is coupled to the vaporizer device; and the plate is biased by the spring to continuously move the vaporizable consumable towards the heating element of the vaporizer device.
 5. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is twisted into a locked or unlocked position by pressing the cap towards the vaporizer device and turning the cap into the respective locked or unlocked position.
 6. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises an inlet and an outlet for circulating air in the cap.
 7. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the force-applying assembly comprises: an axially rotatable rod; a blade coupled to a first end of the rod; and a hook assembly coupled to a second end of the rod opposite the first end, wherein: the hook assembly is inserted into the reservoir when the cap is coupled to the vaporizer device; and the hook assembly rotates in unison with the rod when air circulates through the cap to continually move the vaporizable consumable towards the heating element.
 8. The cap assembly of claim 6, wherein the force-applying assembly comprises a diaphragm configured to inflate when air is drawn into the cap via the inlet and deflate when air is expelled from the cap via the outlet.
 9. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the force-applying assembly comprises a flexible lens configured to apply a force to the vaporizable consumable to continuously move the consumable towards the heating element.
 10. The cap assembly of claim 7, wherein the hook assembly comprises a first hook and a second hook.
 11. The cap assembly of claim 10, wherein the hook assembly further comprises a first bead coupled to an end of the first hook and a second bead coupled to an end of the second hook. 